Bus fare to rise over fuel prices

The main bus company serving north Staffordshire has said it is to put fares up in the near future in the wake of rising fuel prices.

First has not decided exact figures but said it was likely to be larger than the company would have liked.

The firm said the rise was likely to come before the anniversary of last year's increase in September.

It said there have also been increases in other areas, such as insurance, labour costs and parts for vehicles.

Commercial director Paul De Santis said: "It's not going to be at the rate that fuel is increasing, because we can't put our fares up by 40 or 50%.

"It won't be at the rate probably that gas and electricity is increasing."